Adolescents use synthetic marijuana for low cost and to avoid drug test detection | Research

The takeaway

Among 80 adolescents in substance treatment, 51% used both synthetic and natural marijuana, primarily motivated by low cost and avoiding drug test detection, despite recognizing the medical risks.

Parents, school administrators, adolescent treatment providers, juvenile justice professionals

Cost and drug test avoidance top motivators

What the researchers found

Of 80 adolescents, 49% used natural marijuana only and 51% used both synthetic and natural. Top reasons for synthetic use: low cost and reduced drug test detection risk. Dual users had higher externalizing problems (p=0.024) and peer substance use (p=0.009) but no difference in psychotic symptoms. Synthetic use heightened perceived medical risks of natural marijuana.

Why it matters

Understanding why adolescents choose synthetic cannabinoids over natural marijuana can inform prevention strategies. The finding that drug test avoidance is a key motivator suggests testing policies may paradoxically push some youth toward more dangerous products.

The numbers in context

80 adolescents (71% male, 53% Caucasian, ages 14-18). 51% dual users. Higher externalizing problems in dual users (p=0.024). Higher peer substance use (p=0.009). Persecutory ideation correlated with natural marijuana frequency (p=0.04).

How the study worked

Convenience sample of 80 adolescents (ages 14-18) receiving substance use treatment, surveyed between April 2016-May 2018. Assessed with Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and CAPE-Positive Scale for psychosis symptoms.

What this study cannot tell us

Small convenience sample from a single treatment center. Adolescents already in treatment may differ from the general population. Self-reported use. Cross-sectional design. No biochemical verification.

How to read the evidence

Small convenience sample from a treatment population provides limited generalizability despite relevant findings.

When this study was published

2024 publication of 2016-2018 survey data from adolescent treatment patients

The bigger picture

The irony that drug testing intended to deter substance use may drive adolescents toward synthetic cannabinoids, which are more dangerous and harder to detect, highlights unintended consequences of punitive drug policies in schools and juvenile justice.

Questions still open

Would reducing punitive drug testing in schools decrease synthetic cannabinoid use? Do the externalizing behavior differences precede or result from synthetic use?

Common questions

Why do teens use synthetic marijuana?

The top reasons were low cost and avoiding detection on drug tests. Familiarity with the products and desire to avoid drug testing were significant predictors of synthetic use.

Is synthetic marijuana more dangerous than natural?

Dual users in this study actually perceived synthetic marijuana as carrying more medical risks, including seizures and respiratory issues. Other research confirms synthetic cannabinoids are associated with more severe and unpredictable health effects than natural cannabis.

Read the original research

Synthetic Marijuana: Assessment of Usage, Motivation and Associated Risks in Adolescent Substance Users.

Substance use : research and treatment, 18, 29768357241254258

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Baweja, Raman; Mills-Huffnagle, Sara; Jernigan, Amanda; Chongtham, Nungshitombi; Waschbusch, Daniel; Waxmonsky, James G. (2024). Synthetic Marijuana: Assessment of Usage, Motivation and Associated Risks in Adolescent Substance Users.. Substance use : research and treatment, 18, 29768357241254258. https://doi.org/10.1177/29768357241254258